Goat Skin Artist, Thelma de Palm seamless manner the government hereby confirms that the revised tax structure (Island Tax) will not be intro- duced until further notice The Island Government of Bonaire thanks you for your continued and on-going support IN THIS ISSUE: and valuable feedback. As you know, it is our common goal to make Bonaire a European Windsurf Report Greece & Turkey 6 destination that visitors will want to Kite Surfing Scene 7 keep on returning to year after year. Announcement (Hayden 25th Until further information is provided Anniversary) 8 by our government, the current tax Correction (Juliandro Soree) 8 structure will prevail.” This informa- Rotary Breakfast Program 8 Scrap Ship Sails 8 tion was posted earlier on The Bonaire Bondy on the Ball (Final) 9 Reporter website, bonairenews.com. Antique Houses (Kas di Kaha-Herrera) 10 The island of St. Maarten an- Parents’ Night at Stichting Project 11 Dia di Arte 12 nounced that it will institute a $5 Protraits (Delno Trump) 15 transfer fee for in-transit passengers at Snack Bar Detectives (Peking) 16 Princess Juliana Airport on August 1. Bonai Unveils Plaque & Final Barbe- DCNA’s Kalli DeMeyer (R) makes a point at the World Heritage meeting The Island Council approved the $5 que 17 transit/ transfer fee on April 3. Culinary Team Hailed 17

fter not moving forward for the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, A over a year, Bonaire's bid to DROB's Frank van Slobbe and Jean- There’s WEEKLY FEATURES: become part of one of the world's few inne Wong Loi Sing. Being a UN a new air ser- international UN World Heritage sites World Heritage site is a significant vice, Bon- Flotsam & Jetsam 2 Coral Glimpses 3 got a boost when UNESCO's Secretary plus in the eco-tourism market but, aire-Curacao Biologist’s Bubbles (sand) 3 General met with Bonaire's Lt. Gover- more importantly, brings world focus via E-Liner. They fly Monday through Pet of the Week (“Martin”) 7 nor Domacassé to prepare Bonaire's on the unique qualities of the area, bet- Friday, from Bonaire 9:15 am, 5:30 Picture Yourself, (Machu Picchu) 14 nomination. The site will include the ter ensuring its preservation. pm; from Curacao: 8:30 am, 4:30 pm. SuDoku Puzzle 14 Classifieds 14 Caribbean islands from Venezuela’s It’s NAƒ80 one way (under 2 years fly Tide Table 18 Los Roques and Los Aves islands, You CAN fight “City Hall” and free). The plane is an eight-seater SuDoku Answer 18 Bonaire, Klein Bonaire, Klein Curaçao win. Last week the Bonaire Commis- Piper PA-31. For reservations call 717- Reporter Masthead 18 and Curaçao. In the area marine life sioner of Tourism announced on the 6825 or go to their website: www.e- What’s Happening 19 will be protected, the environment pre- Bonaire website that the Departure liner.net. E-Liner, based in Curacao, Movieland Film Schedule 19 Shopping & Dining Guides 20 served and native culture encouraged. Tax Structure will not change. A was established in 1993, doing sight- On the Island Since At the meeting, in addition to Gover- statement released to Bonaire’s “travel seeing flights and day tours to Aruba (Andre Snijders “Julius Andrew” ) 21 nor Domacassé and UNESCO Secre- partners” said, “In light of the feedback and Bonaire. They do charter and Sky Park (Cats’ eyes) 23 tary General Browne, were Mrs. we received from our stakeholders and cargo flights too. The Stars Have It 23 Lugo-Izaguirre, representing the Vene- in an effort to ensure that the final levy zuelan Consulate, Kalli de Meyer of is equitable and that it be instituted in a (Continued on page 3)

Page 2 Bonaire Reporter - July 14 to July 21, 2006 (Flotsam and Jetsam. Continued from page 2) Lauderdale. Spirit will add flights to Jamaica, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Washington D. (a bit of information about corals C. and New York City. Bonaire was presented each week by not mentioned, but in past discussions naturalist Dee Scarr) Bonaire was asked to provide guaran- tees for up to 100% of the seats on the flight, which the island was unwilling Elkhorn coral usually grows in 15 feet of water or to agree to. less, so many of Bonaire's Elk- Spirit Airlines offers low fares with- horn colonies got hammered by out compromise. Spirit´s full-frills, Lenny's storm surge. The good low-fare service includes new air- news is that there are many new planes with all leather seats, plus Elkhorn formations along our coach and business class. shoreline. This one is unusual in that it's in about 30 feet of water, along the drop- off. Dee Scarr photo Atzo Nicolaï will become Dutch of Administrative Reform and Kingdom Relations, responsible for Antillean Affairs, the Dutch news- paper de Volkskrant reported last id You Know… Wednesday. Nicolaï is currently State D Caribbean beaches are made Secretary of Foreign Affairs in charge from dead algae and Parrotfish poop? of European Affairs in the cabinet of It is a common misconception that Prime Minister . Parrotfish eat coral. Parrotfish munch on He is taking over from Alexander algae growing on dead coral rock. Liv- Photo copyright Eilandgebied Bonaire Pechtold who resigned, along with the ing coral is colorful and defined, while rest of the Balkenende II Cabinet, late dead coral rock is gray or white. Parrot- Bonaire's Hygienic Service, the last week. fish scrape off the algae and part of the rock, grind it all up, digest the algae and poop people who inspect commercial kitch- out the calcium carbonate (fine sand). ens, arriving vessels and perform other Former Dutch Immigration Green algae of the genus Halimeda (Watercress Alga is the most common species related tasks, have introduced a new Minister Rita Verdonk, at the center here in Bonaire) grow in tufts among the corals and are especially prevalent in seagrass uniform for their personnel shown of the row which caused the Dutch and mangrove ecosystems. These algae absorb minerals from the seawater and form above. government to collapse last week, calcium carbonate (sand) within their tissues. Scientists believe this is their way of could gain 15% of the vote if she warding off herbivores. The herbivores get indigestion after eating Halimeda and thus Spirit, the leading low-fare car- formed her own , ac- leave it alone. After the alga dies, it turns white and breaks apart into sand. Eventually rier to the Caribbean, announced an cording to a poll. Verdonk came un- all of this sand (poop and algae) gets washed up on shore, is bleached by and expansion to its Fort Lauderdale der heavy criticism over her threat to becomes a beach lover’s paradise! Story & photo by Carin Eckrich hub operation. Effective December strip Somali-born Dutch politician 14, Spirit will enhance its winter of Dutch citizenship Biologist Caren Eckrich founded and runs Sea and Discover, Bonaire's schedule to key destinations further and is the author of restrictions on marine education center specializing in guided dives and snorkels for adults and adventure programs for kids. You may call her at 717-5322. reinforcing its position in Fort (Continued on page 4)

Bonaire Reporter - July 14 to July 21, 2006 Page 3 (Flotsam and Jetsam. Continued from page 3) VBO photo Antilleans visiting Holland. She would most likely attract votes from support- ers of her current political party or smaller anti-immigration parties, the Dutch television survey found.

Curaçao elected official, An- thony Godett, will report to Bon Fu- turo Prison on Monday, July 17, to serve the remainder of his corruption sentence, he told reporters. Godett was sentenced in September 2005 to 15 months, of which five were suspended. He lost all of his appeals. As he spent Frans Versteeg of USONA, and just over a month in pretrial detention, Commissioner Jonchi Dortalina he still has nine more months to serve. The sentence was not carried out until now because of his appeals and a road. The improvements are designed shortage of cell space. Godett had to improve the traffic flow, make the asked to serve his time as soon as pos- boulevard more attractive, fix drainage sible so he would be free for the Island problems and provide more parking Council elections scheduled for May spaces. Also included in this project next year. Although he can serve on will be improvements to the three the Curaçao Island Council, under An- streets connecting the boulevard with tillean he cannot serve as a Central the waterfront promenade, making a WEB replaced pipes running from the desalinization plant on the waterfront Government Minister. In a previous section of the road one-way and land- to the storage tanks at the top of Santa Barbara. It is still another item in Bonaire’s situation he was named Prime Minister scaping the area around the Governor's recent acceleration of infrastructure improvements. but did not serve as he was under in- residence and Finance building. Prepa- dictment, so he named his sister in his rations and planning has begun and place. road work should be underway by January 2007. VBO photo

On July 1 the Bonaire Police De- partment introduced a new evalua- tion system for its officers. It’s based on a months-long study by a blue- ribbon panel led by High Commis- sioner Denise Jacobs. The photo shows the final document being handed over Oude Lagoen detail to Bonaire Police Chief Jan van der Straten. The Oude Lagoen (Old Lagoon) Improvements are set for J.A. housing development had a big open Abraham Blvd. On June 15, the gov- house last week. If you appreciate the Fire Department personnel with Commissioner James Kroon (R) ernment signed an agreement with Di- design elements of Bonairean archi- rector Frans Versteeg of the Dutch fi- tecture (see Wilna Groenenboom’s The fire department replaced the bells of the Rincon Church steeple last nancing agency, USONA, to improve article on page 10) you should visit the week. The church was heavily damaged by a lightning strike late last year. Com- this street in the main tourist area. Ho- site. Nineteen homes of at least five missioner James Kroon, a Rincon native, was influential in getting the fire depart- tels like Carib Inn and Divi Flamingo traditional styles are planned for the ment to restore the steeple and the bells. The members of the church raised money for the bells through fund raising activities like the “Moon Walk” earlier in the and many private homes are along this (Continued on page 5) year.

Page 4 Bonaire Reporter - July 14 to July 21, 2006 (Flotsam and Jetsam. Continued from page 4) well as coverage in St. Martin and St. project located at Kaminda Lagun 45. Barths, and expects further exponential The website is www.oudlagoen.com. growth. Attend the big Digicel kickoff party, Friday, 14 July, at the Stadium. Last week Digicel announced that it If you are a woman with an in- has finalized con- terest in windsurfing, regardless of struction of its net- your level, come meet on Sunday, July work in Bonaire 16, at 5 pm at The Jibe City Hang Out and is set to launch Bar to talk about a women’s windsurf- its services. Digicel is incorporated in ing clinic that will begin the next day. Bermuda and says it has operations in It officially begins Monday, July 17, at 20 countries: Anguilla, Antigua and 10 am at The Windsurfing Place. Be- Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, ginners and/or advanced are welcome. Bonaire, Curaçao, the Cayman Islands, It is for women only and is taught by Dominica, French Guiana, Grenada, women and runs from 10 am-4 pm Guadeloupe, Turks and Caicos, Ja- through July 19, with lunch breaks, maica, Martinique, St. Kitts and Nevis, and the cost is only NAƒ175 ($100). St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grena- Sign up today! Contact Ann Phelan at dines, and Trinidad and Tobago– as 786-3134 for more info.

Avy enjoys a short-lived Outlet Mol owner Molly Kearney poses in front of her new store which “French Mo- opened a couple of weeks ago and is drawing in the customers. Molly also is the ment” at City author of The Reporter’s weekly column, “Do You Sudoku?” on page 14. Café

In the World Cup final, let France do any- thing it wanted, except win the Encouraged by attendees’ positive reactions during “Dive Into Adventure World Cup. Read Bonaire 2006,” Caribbean Gas Training (CGT) will start giving weekly semi- about this game nars about the “Doing It Right” diving philosophy (DIR).CGT staff is planning and the matches for a 45- to 60-minute multimedia presentation titled “Beyond Gravity – An Eve- leading up to it in ning with DIR” every Tuesday evening at 18:00 (6 pm) at Bonaire Dive & Adven- “Bondy On The ture dive shop, after which there will be ample time for Q&A as well as socializing Ball” on page 9. at the bar. Topics covered will be, among others: Advanced trim and buoyancy Viva Italia! control, DIR gear configuration and team-based emergency response protocols. All divers and non-divers are welcome. Entry is free. G/L. D.

Bonaire Reporter - July 14 to July 21, 2006 Page 5 Freestyle Battle in Prasonisi, Rhodos, Greece. Red Bull King of the Bay, Alacati, Turkey

fter a nine-hour ferry A trip we finally arrived in the harbor of Rhodos Town. We were picked up by the or- ganizers and driven to Prason- isi at the southern point of the island. It felt good to be back after last year’s success. The weather forecast looked pretty good for the upcoming days. A bit of a disappoint- ment was that the organizers did not reserve rooms on the Clay Fines fought injuries spot for us. So we had to stay at a little village about 10 km. away, meaning that we had to arrange transportation to the beach and back. This year the event was on a different date than last year. High season had kicked in and rooms were fully booked. The event started on Friday with suitable conditions: very sunny temperatures of 31ºC; water around the 20ºs, wind from 18 to 25 knots. Clay Finies, at his second EFPT event this year, was suffering from a foot injury. It happened while throwing a huge forward loop during training in Mykonos after the event there. He slowly recovered and was forced to show his freestyle abilities here in Rhodos. Unfortunately he could not manage to complete enough moves to win his heat in the first round of the elimination. I, Ruben Petrisie, performed pretty well through some heats until I met with a Ruben sliding in Turkey Polish champion friend who considered this heat an opportunity for revenge. The heat started off with full power tricks. I felt like I was leading the heat after throw- lacati, Turkey, is a new destination on the European Freestyle Pro Tour. ing a flat water punch in his face, one of the first punches seen so far in this com- A Turkey is a place most of our riders have never been to. The organizers petition here at Prasonisi. He replied with a “clew first switch stance gozada” (clew arranged the ferry transfer from Rhodos to Turkey (Marmaris) and then by bus for first sailing with back to the sail into grubby), and we fought until the end. about six hours through Izmir, Cesme and then to Alacati. It was a very surprising Unfortunately, I lost this time. scene when we arrived in Turkey; we really had no idea what it would look like. After a one-hour break the judges started with the double elimination. Clay As we arrived at the spot it was really cool to see how happy the kids and locals Finies was fighting again, but his foot did not allow him to complete most of his were to see us. Free rooms had been arranged and a special dinner so we could get moves. Action went on until late in the afternoon. a real taste of the Turkish dishes. The people on the beach missed Bonairean Tonky Frans who competed with style the last two years in this event. Tonky could not be there due a different We had some amazing training days before the competition started. Conditions schedule this season. were super: sunny 29ºC, wind from 18 to 30 knots, water around 22ºC.

I had to wait two hours before my heat. It was getting late and the judges decided We really never thought Turkey could be so amazing - people screaming and to run the other half of the elimination on the following day. I was very happy to cheering from the big Tribune, the building on the beach, for every single rider hear that… until they told me that my heat would be the last one for this day. I was who performed a move. cold and tired of waiting. The heat started off really well. I did my routine of moves as usual and came The competition started pretty okay for me. In my first heat against the Turkish back to the beach. The judges took a long time to declare the winner. I lost against local hero I felt confident in myself and won the heat with ease. I got through a few a newcomer from Sweden who pulled a clear “chaho” in the heat. I did not know more heats until meeting with German “brainiac,” Andre Paskowski. We both that. started very smoothly, but during the last minute of the heat the wind dropped. The next day the wind was lighter. So we waited until the afternoon when the Skinny Andre just made a punch before the heat finished. Again another close de- cision. wind is usually at its best. The final heats of the event where full of switch moves and amazing combinations. It was the Spanish freestyler, Antxon Otaegui, who Clay performed a solid heat in the beginning, but during the final minutes he took the win at the Prasonisi Freestyle Battle. struggled with his foot injury. Unfortunately his performance was not enough to win his heat against a newcomer from Austria. The day went on, full of action. Final results: Again the Spanish master showed he was unstoppable and won the first elimina- 1 Antxon Otaegui E-169 (JP, Neil Pryde, Electric) tion round. 2 Norman Gunzlein G-186 (JP, Neilpryde, Chiemsee) 3 Andre Paskowski G-2 (F2, North, Camaro, Patlove) The next day the wind was slightly lighter but enough to start the double elimina- 17 Ruben Petrisie NB-50 (Exocet, The Loft, Camaro, Gsport, Reptile-Masts, tion. Again I was on the waiting line until the afternoon. Bigfish, Como) 25 Clay Finies NB-79 (Dakine, Sign Studio, MCB, RE/MAX) There was live television and an amazing vibe on the beach. In my heat I faced a Swedish trick master who was very nervous because of being kicked out earlier by one of the newcomers. The heat was pretty solid, but I knew I lost because of screwing up at my second move right at the beginning. The action continued with the Italians fighting their way up. Again the Spaniard showed his powerful style and took the title of the first elimination.

Two more days to go. But the wind was not at its best. It was decided to do some expression sessions for TV and the sponsors. The winner of the Red Bull King of the Bay, Alacati, Turkey, was Antxon who is definitely hungry for the European title this year.

Final results 1 Antxon Otaegui E-169 (JP, Neil Pryde, Electric) 2 Andre Paskowski G-2 (F2, North, Camaro, Patlove) 3 Matteo Guazzoni I-711 (RRD, Simmer, Nissan, Maverix Masts, Ignoranz) 9 Ruben Petrisie NB-50 (Exocet The Loft,Camaro, Gsport, Reptile-Masts, BigFish, Como 17 Clay Finies NB-79 (Dakine, Sign Studio, MCB, RE/MAX) Story & photos by Ruben Petresie

Windsurfing fans in Turkey Page 6 Bonaire Reporter - July 14 to July 21, 2006

onaire offers so andsome “Martin” was found on the B many over and H street and brought into the Bonaire Ani- under the water activi- mal Shelter where he’s one of the most well ad- ties, but the latest to justed pups in the place. He gets along with eve- join the ranks of grow- ryone and even likes to play with the younger ing interest amongst puppies. In fact Martin is such an amenable per- tourists and locals is sonality that he’s been allowed to be a “house Kite surfing. It's the dog” at the Shelter, which means he can roam same concept as wind- free within the property. What a friendly guy. surfing. A boar